Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance has been issued to police, prosecutors and border authorities about British citizens returning to the UK after having (1) lawfully volunteered or for, or enlisted in, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, or (2) undertaken humanitarian, medical, rescue or other volunteer work in Ukraine.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Cluny - Advocate General for Scotland
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice to Ukraine states: 'If you travel to Ukraine to fight, or to assist others engaged in the war, your activities may amount to offences under UK legislation. You could be prosecuted on your return to the UK'. Their full advice is available here: Ukraine travel advice.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which acts independently of police and government, will consider any information that is referred by the police and any decision to prosecute will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
To date, the CPS has not prosecuted any British citizens for actions carried out whilst volunteering to serve in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask His Majesty's Government what policy they have about the investigation and prosecution of British citizens returning to the UK after having (1) lawfully volunteered or for, or enlisted in, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, or (2) undertaken humanitarian, medical, rescue or other volunteer work in Ukraine.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Cluny - Advocate General for Scotland
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice to Ukraine states: 'If you travel to Ukraine to fight, or to assist others engaged in the war, your activities may amount to offences under UK legislation. You could be prosecuted on your return to the UK'. Their full advice is available here: Ukraine travel advice.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which acts independently of police and government, will consider any information that is referred by the police and any decision to prosecute will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
To date, the CPS has not prosecuted any British citizens for actions carried out whilst volunteering to serve in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how progress for their commitment to deepen links between local and regional governments in the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership is measured and published.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As I saw myself in my visit to Ukraine from 21-24 September, delivery of the UK-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership is a whole-of-government effort, with departments leading on commitments relevant to their responsibilities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) works with Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) and Devolved Governments to support deeper links between regional and local governments and wants to see more UK and Ukrainian authorities twinned in ways that deliver benefits for communities in both countries. Local authorities have hosted Ukrainian professionals for exchanges of expertise, supported business links, worked on resilient urban development and reconstruction, shared experience on culture and tourism, and donated life-saving equipment. The Government is also encouraging schools, universities and other institutions to build similar links, including through the UK-Ukraine university twinning scheme, which has established more than 100 partnerships. Progress on implementation of the 100-Year Partnership is reviewed through our regular bilateral engagement, including the UK-Ukraine Strategic Dialogue, and the Government updates Parliament in the usual way.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with local authorities, fire and rescue authorities, police constabularies, NHS bodies, and other public bodies about barriers to the donation of surplus vehicles and equipment to Ukraine.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Since February 2022, the UK has committed £25.1 billion for Ukraine. In response to Ukraine's requests, the UK has provided 96 ambulances, including 20 NHS ambulances and 76 new vehicles. The UK has also provided vehicles in support of Ukraine's humanitarian and emergency response efforts, including 19 armoured vehicles gifted to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine earlier this year. We continue to work with the Government of Ukraine and relevant partners to understand requirements for vehicles and any practical challenges affecting provision and delivery.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce the barriers for public bodies donating surplus vehicles and equipment to Ukraine.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Since February 2022, the UK has committed £25.1 billion for Ukraine. In response to Ukraine's requests, the UK has provided 96 ambulances, including 20 NHS ambulances and 76 new vehicles. The UK has also provided vehicles in support of Ukraine's humanitarian and emergency response efforts, including 19 armoured vehicles gifted to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine earlier this year. We continue to work with the Government of Ukraine and relevant partners to understand requirements for vehicles and any practical challenges affecting provision and delivery.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 9 July (HL Deb col 199GC), when they expect to conclude their consideration of proposals for a public register of UK-Ukraine local and regional partnerships, a municipal partnership platform, a municipal aid corridor, and a local government partnership fund.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As I saw myself in my visit to Ukraine from 21-24 September, delivery of the UK-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership is a whole-of-government effort, with departments leading on commitments relevant to their responsibilities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) works with Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) and Devolved Governments to support deeper links between regional and local governments and wants to see more UK and Ukrainian authorities twinned in ways that deliver benefits for communities in both countries. Local authorities have hosted Ukrainian professionals for exchanges of expertise, supported business links, worked on resilient urban development and reconstruction, shared experience on culture and tourism, and donated life-saving equipment. The Government is also encouraging schools, universities and other institutions to build similar links, including through the UK-Ukraine university twinning scheme, which has established more than 100 partnerships. Progress on implementation of the 100-Year Partnership is reviewed through our regular bilateral engagement, including the UK-Ukraine Strategic Dialogue, and the Government updates Parliament in the usual way.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in implementing proposals to strengthen partnerships between UK local authorities and Ukrainian municipalities under the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As I saw myself in my visit to Ukraine from 21-24 September, delivery of the UK-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership is a whole-of-government effort, with departments leading on commitments relevant to their responsibilities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) works with Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) and Devolved Governments to support deeper links between regional and local governments and wants to see more UK and Ukrainian authorities twinned in ways that deliver benefits for communities in both countries. Local authorities have hosted Ukrainian professionals for exchanges of expertise, supported business links, worked on resilient urban development and reconstruction, shared experience on culture and tourism, and donated life-saving equipment. The Government is also encouraging schools, universities and other institutions to build similar links, including through the UK-Ukraine university twinning scheme, which has established more than 100 partnerships. Progress on implementation of the 100-Year Partnership is reviewed through our regular bilateral engagement, including the UK-Ukraine Strategic Dialogue, and the Government updates Parliament in the usual way.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government which department and Minister has responsibility for delivering the commitment under the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership to support deeper links between local and regional governments.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As I saw myself in my visit to Ukraine from 21-24 September, delivery of the UK-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership is a whole-of-government effort, with departments leading on commitments relevant to their responsibilities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) works with Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) and Devolved Governments to support deeper links between regional and local governments and wants to see more UK and Ukrainian authorities twinned in ways that deliver benefits for communities in both countries. Local authorities have hosted Ukrainian professionals for exchanges of expertise, supported business links, worked on resilient urban development and reconstruction, shared experience on culture and tourism, and donated life-saving equipment. The Government is also encouraging schools, universities and other institutions to build similar links, including through the UK-Ukraine university twinning scheme, which has established more than 100 partnerships. Progress on implementation of the 100-Year Partnership is reviewed through our regular bilateral engagement, including the UK-Ukraine Strategic Dialogue, and the Government updates Parliament in the usual way.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are providing to Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy to prevent communities from being left without electricity, heating, water or other essential services during extreme cold weather.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have learned the lesson that early support is vital for Ukraine's winter preparedness and therefore announced £20 million for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund in February. This will deliver equipment such as generators, energy systems, grid protection and emergency power capacity in time for this winter and brings total UK support to the Fund to £173 million since 2022. The Fund directs support to the most urgent needs across Ukraine including to Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy.
Power outages disrupt heating, water, and essential services, creating a risk of humanitarian crisis. The UK has committed almost £577 million for humanitarian support since 2022 and we continue to work with the Ukrainian authorities, UN organisations, and charities to reach the most vulnerable communities.
Finally, enhanced air defence is essential to protecting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The UK recently announced a further £100 million for interceptors and continues to encourage other partners to follow suit.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what additional steps they are taking to support Ukraine to strengthen its energy resilience before winter, including through generators, distributed energy systems, grid protection and emergency power capacity.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have learned the lesson that early support is vital for Ukraine's winter preparedness and therefore announced £20 million for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund in February. This will deliver equipment such as generators, energy systems, grid protection and emergency power capacity in time for this winter and brings total UK support to the Fund to £173 million since 2022. The Fund directs support to the most urgent needs across Ukraine including to Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy.
Power outages disrupt heating, water, and essential services, creating a risk of humanitarian crisis. The UK has committed almost £577 million for humanitarian support since 2022 and we continue to work with the Ukrainian authorities, UN organisations, and charities to reach the most vulnerable communities.
Finally, enhanced air defence is essential to protecting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The UK recently announced a further £100 million for interceptors and continues to encourage other partners to follow suit.